When Donald Tankoua tore his right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in a game early in the second round, San Beda’s chances of regaining the title it lost to last year’s NCAA champion Letran came close to nill as it lost its backbone inside.
Good thing Benedict Adamos came in to help fill the void.
The 6-6 Adamos has been stepping up big since the Cameroonian banger went down with the season-ending injury and his 16-point, seven-rebound and one-block effort in the Lions’ 88-85 win over the Arellano U Chiefs in Game One Thursday was a testament to the hardwork he’s been putting.
And the 20-year-old Legazpi City, Bicol native doesn’t mind being called an “accidental hero.”
“I’m here to help the team in whatever ways I can,” said the soft-spoken Adamos, a transferee from Zamora Memorial College.
“I’m also giving it out my best to return to the trust coach (Jamike Jarin) and my teammates gave me,” he added.
Adamos also said he couldn’t do anything without the total team effort.
“Coach gave us roles and my role is to help defend inside and score some points if the opportunity presents itself.
Without my teammates, it will be tough doing what I’ve done,” he said.
Jarin was all praises on his rookie big man although he was quick to caution the series isn’t over yet.
“He’s been pretty solid for us since Donald (Tankoua) went down,” said Jarin of Adamos. “But we can’t celebrate yet because there is still Game Two and possibly, a Game Three, if we let it go that far.”
Adamos was one of the biggest heroes that emerged in the opener with the other two being Robert Bolick and team captain Dan Sara.
Bolick, a tranferee from La Salle, came through with the crucial baskets but also his defense particularly on Arellano U star Jio Jalalon while Sara provided the needed leadership and experience San Beda’s young team lacks.